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Fast Charging Stations in Portugal
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In this article Guerin will answer these and other questions. So stay with us and find out all about fast charging stations.
If a few years ago we could count on our fingers the number of electric vehicles we saw on the streets of Portugal, today the scenario is quite different. In the big cities and beyond, many people are choosing electric cars to rent or buy.
Although electric mobility is a success, some still point to the charging process as a limitation. This is because there aren't enough charging stations and, above all, because charging times are long.
The truth is that the network of charging stations has grown throughout the country, and there are now fast charging stations where vehicles can be charged in just a few minutes. But how do they work? Where are they? And how much does each charge cost?
Fast charging stations explained
What are fast charging stations?
Fast charging stations or charging mode 4 are stations that use a charger which changes the electric current supplied to the vehicle from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). The car thus receives a greater amount of energy, charging to around 80% of its electrical capacity in just a few minutes.
Despite being much faster, the effectiveness of fast charging stations depends largely on the characteristics of the car. The greater the capacity of the internal charger and the car battery, the faster the charging.
Where are the fast charging stations?
In most cases, fast charging stations are located in highway gas stations. This is because it is during long journeys that electric cars usually need to charge their batteries the most. You can also find this type of station in large cities, but there are fewer of them.
To find out the list of all charging stations, we recommed a series of options, such as the UVE charging stations map and some applications.
How to use fast charging stations?
The process for charging an electric car at a fast charging station is no different from that at a normal charging station. All you need to do is:
- Park the vehicle in the spot and swipe the electric vehicle charging card on the reader at the station;
- Select charging, choose the compatible socket and plug in to start charging.
- To finish, swipe the card again at the charging station, select the "finish charging” option and remove the plug from the vehicle.
How much does it cost to charge at fast charging stations?
The cost of fast charging stations varies and depends on the tariffs offered by the various operators. Even so, because it's a faster type of charging, the prices are higher and are usually between €0.24 and €0.79 per kWh.
If you want to pay less and still have access to faster charging, here are some tips:
- Charge outside of peak hours to access lower rates;
- Avoid leaving the vehicle charging beyond the charging time to avoid paying extra fees;
- Choose subscription or loyalty plans to reduce the cost per kWh or per minute.
Be careful with fast charging stations.
Unlike normal charging stations, fast charging stations should only be used occasionally because they cause long-term damage to the car battery. Therefore, give preference to slower charges that help preserve the integrity of the battery.
Guerin has Guerin electric cars for every destination.
With Guerin, travel can be greener and quieter. Yes, just stop at one of our stations, where to find the best rent a car in Portugal, and choose the electric model that best fits your travel profile.
During the rental process, take the opportunity to include the additional driver option and allow someone else to drive as well. So instead of choosing the normal charging stations to rest, you can choose the fast charging stations and do the same, but during the journey.
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